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- Pre-hospital detection of intrahepatic biliary duct dilatation: recognizing the abundance of vessels in the liverPublication . Miravent, Sérgio; Lobo, Manuel; Almeida, Rui Pedro deDiagnosing and confirming intrahepatic biliary duct dilation (IHBDD) involves a coordinated effort across multiple medical specialties, often relying on comprehensive blood analysis. However, the utility of screening ultrasound in detecting intrahepatic biliary dilation becomes particularly valuable in pre-hospital settings like our Basic Emergency Service, especially when access to alternative imaging techniques or detailed blood analyses are unavailable. Detecting the intrahepatic biliary dilation pattern through ultrasound is notably straightforward for a skilled sonographer. The presence of IHBDD can be efficiently identified during a screening ultrasound, allowing identification of imaging findings that help differentiate simple biliary colic from clinical cases that should be prompt referral to the reference hospital and without unnecessary delays or resource expenditure. The etiology of IHBDD is multifactorial1, and while its presentations may vary, the characteristic ultrasound pattern often involves the visualization of “extra vessels within the liver,” related to the distinctive “shotgun” sign2. This sign translates into the observation of dilated bile ducts exhibiting no flow on Doppler imaging3. In cases of extrahepatic obstruction, dilation of the common bile duct (CBD) may be evident. However, with intrahepatic obstruction, a normal CBD caliber can occur. Thus, the sonographer needs to diligently observe the signs outlined and typical sonographic landmarks to identify early indications of bile duct dilation within the innermost or regions of the liver.
- Renal screening sonography. A comparative study in a Portuguese basic emergency servicePublication . Miravent, Sérgio; Jiménez, Carmen; Barbancho, Narciso; Lobo, Manuel; Figueiredo, Teresa; Gomes, Carla; Ratusneac, Ion; Gonçalves, João Mário; Hasnas, Corina; Almeida, Rui Pedro deIntroduction: This study intends to compare the accuracy and pertinence of sonographic findings obtained by a sonographer in a Basic Emergency Service (BES) with the imaging findings at the Referral Hospital (RH). Methods: Thirty-one patients suspected of having renal pathology underwent initial renal sonography screening with sonographer reporting at the BES and were subsequently referred to the RH for additional imaging examinations. The results of both examinations were compared to verify whether the findings from the BES were confirmed by the radiologist in the RH and to ensure that the patient referrals from BES to RH were appropriate. Results: In our sample, most patients (80%) exhibited varying degrees of pyelocaliceal distension, with nearly half (48%) presenting obstructions. A strong association between the sonographic findings in the BES and the RH was found in the variables “Dilatation of pyelocaliceal system” (V=0.895; p=0.000), “Simple cystic formation” (V=0.878; p=0.000), respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between BES and RH findings, indicating a strong association between these two variables respectively (k=0.890; p=0.000) and (k=0.870; p=0.000). In this research, an achieved sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 85% were demonstrated in the identification of pyelocaliceal dilatation. Conclusion: Renal sonographer reporting screening successfully detected abnormalities in the urinary system of patients suspected of having renal colic. The sonographic data obtained at the BES demonstrated a strong correlation with the additional imaging findings from the RH in Portugal. These results suggest that Radiographers/Sonographers can have an important role in the preliminary assessment of urgent renal pathology in remote areas, contributing to a correct referral and early treatment.
- Discrepancies between screening sonography and ultrasound in emergency department: A case reportPublication . Miravent, Sérgio; Figueiredo, Teresa; Donchenko, Inna; Cruz, Gualter; Almeida, Rui Pedro de; Lobo, ManuelIntroduction: This case report presents a discrepancy in sonographic findings between a screening sonography performed by a Sonographer in the Basic Emergency Service (BES) and a subsequent ultrasound performed by a Radiologist physician in a Referral Hospital (RH). The aim of this report is to discuss the possible reasons for the discrepancy and its implications for patient care. Case Presentation: A patient with a history of epigastric pain and vomiting underwent screening sonography in a BES, which suggested Intrahepatic Biliary Dilatation Duct (IHBD) and main pancreatic duct dilatation. The patient was subsequently referred to the RH for further evaluation. However, the Radiologist in the RH did not confirm any of the initial suspicions from BES through a normal ultrasound procedure. The discrepancy raises questions regarding the quality of the screening ultrasound, misinterpretation of the BES images, or the potential for ambiguity in the point of care ultrasound (POCUS) exam. Conclusion: The differences in sonographic findings between BES and RH, in this case, suggest that the improvement of the patient's clinical condition and therapeutic interventions may have contributed to the discrepancy. Further investigation and standardization of POCUS training and interpretation may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.